scope:

Purpose

This standard establishes the requirements for functional, performance, and environmental testing of ground systems, subsystems, and units that support launch and operation of launch vehicles, upperstage vehicles, and space vehicles. This standard establishes requirements to test the system in all configurations and conditions of mission operations. In addition, a uniform set of definitions of related terms is established.

Application

This standard is applicable to the procurement of ground systems hardware and software for space systems as a compliance document for the establishment of a minimum set of test requirements. The standard applies to organizations developing any portion of the ground system.

The test requirements in this standard are applicable to the design, development, and integration of new, reused, or modified software and hardware in ground systems that provide command and control, mission management, mission data processing, and common services (e.g., data storage, networks, and other shared functions) for space vehicles. They also apply to training systems and simulators used for training operators and maintainers of ground systems.

This standard applies to systems installed in fixed and non-fixed environments that directly support launch and operation of space systems. This standard does not apply to ground support equipment used for transport, handling, and test support of space and launch vehicles. ,

The term, ground system, is used in this standard for the top level item to be tested. Terminology used in a specific development will likely differ, particularly large or complex procurements. For example, large space program procurements frequently use the "system" designation for all components developed, to include a space segment, a ground segment, a launch segment, and a user segment. There also may be further subdivision of a ground segment such as two or more ground elements.

The definition for "Test Item Levels" in section 3 lists the test levels used in this standard, which should be translated and tailored for the levels and terms of a specific program.

The test requirements herein focus on design verification and the elimination of latent defects, not evaluation of workmanship issues, to help ensure a high level of confidence in achieving successful space missions.